Compaction roller with retractable transporting wheels



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- WzZlzam EKz'essm March 24, 1959 w. E. KRESSIN COMPACTION ROLLER WITH RETRACTABLE TRAN-SPORTING WHEELS Filed Aug. 26. 1954 A m ill an H ATTORNEYS.

March 2 2, 1959 2,878,731

COMPACTION ROLLER WITH RETRACTABLE TRANSPORTING WHEELS w. E. KREISSIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1954 INVENTOR. WzZZzcLm fiKz'esszn flaw? ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent COMPACTION ROLLER WITH RETRACTABLE TRANSPORTING WHEELS William E. Kressin, Watertown, Wis., assignor to Seaman- Andwall Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 26, 1954, Serial No. 452,285

8 Claims. (Cl. 94-50) This invention relates to a compaction roller having retractable wheels and more particularly to a novel mechanism for elevating and lowering the wheels with respect to the compaction roll.

A small compaction roller is used for rolling driveways, air ports, playgrounds and the like and it is desirable that the roller be mobile so that it may be readily transported at relatively high speed to and from the rolling sites. To achieve mobility the rollers are frequently provided with wheels which are adapted to be elevated during the rolling operation and to be lowered during trailing or transporting of the roller.

The present invention is directed to a compaction roller having wheel assemblies which can be conveniently elevated and lowered for normal rolling and trailing operations and one of which can be readily removed when it is desired to roll close to vertical obstructions.

According to the invention the roller is provided with a pair of wheel assemblies each of which includes an end plate secured flat-wise to the end surface of the frame of the roller. A wheel support plate is pivotally attached to each end plate and rotatably supports a wheel which is normally in the up position, out of contact with the surface to be rolled, during the rolling operation.

The wheels are lowered into contact with the rolled surface by a pair of hydraulic units which are employed to pivot the support plates downwardly in relation to the respective end plates and thereby lower the wheels. Continued action of the hydraulic units after the wheels contact the surface results in the roll and roller frame being elevated out of contact with the surface.

The wheels are automatically locked in the down position by an arm which is pivotally attached to each end plate and is counterweighted to ride on the edge portion of the support plate as the same is pivoted downwardly by the hydraulic unit. When the support plate has reached a predetermined position in its downward pivotal movement the arm engages the upper side edge of the support plate and prevents the same from being moved upwardly, thereby locking the wheels in the downward position. The entire operation of lowering and raising the wheels can be done by the operator sitting in the drivers seat of the roller.

To enable the roller to roll adjacent a vertical obstruction, one of the wheel assemblies is removably secured to the respective end surface of the roller frame by a series of bolts, thereby permitting the one wheel assembly to be readily removed from the frame in a simple one-man operation and enable rolling to be done close to vertical objects.

The drawings accompanying the description illustrate the best way presently contemplated of carrying out the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the roller of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the roller with the wheel assembly removed;

ICE.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the wheel assembly;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section of the arcuate guide and showing one of the screws securing the wheel assembly to the roller frame;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the temporary attachment of the wheel assembly to the frame by means of the T bolts;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the apparatus for lowering and raising the wheels with the wheels shown in the lowered position, parts being broken away and sectioned; and

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in Pig. 6.

The drawings illustrate a small compaction roller for use in rolling driveways, sidewalks, playgrounds and the like. The roller comprises generally a frame 1 which rotatably supports a hollow compaction roll 2. The compaction roll 2 is designed with considerable weight and is hollow to receive water for weight purposes and serves to compact and smooth a given surface indicated by 3.

The roll 2 is driven by an engine 4 and a drive transmission 5 which are mounted on frame 1 directly above the roll. The frame 1 also supports a water tank 6 which extends partially around the roll and is employed for the purpose of wetting the roll.

trols for the engine and drive mechanism. The platform 7 is supported by a trailing roll 8 which is mounted within a trunnion 9 pivotally attached to the platform 7. During the rolling operation the rollers 2 and 8 ride on the surface with the roll 2 serving to compact and smooth the surface.

For transporting the roller to and from the rolling site, a hitch means 10 is provided on the outer end of the platform and is adapted to be engaged with a truck or other vehicle. which pulls the roller.

As it is desired to transport the roller at relatively high speeds to and from the various rolling locations, wheels are provided which can be lowered to support the roller when the same is to be transported. The wheels are supported by wheel assemblies which are attached to the frame of the roller and serve to elevate and lower the wheels. One of the wheel assemblies is readily removable so that the roller can be operated close to a building or other obstruction. The other wheel assembly, not shown, is not removable for service operation of the roller.

Referring now to the removable wheel assembly this assembly consists of an irregular shaped plate 11 which is disposed generally fiat-wise with respect to one end surface 12 of the frame 1. The plate 11 is temporarily aligned with respect to side surface 12 by a plurality of T-shaped bolts 13 which project outwardly from the plate 11 and are adapted to be received within key-hole shaped openings 14 formed in the respective side surface 12. v

The plate 11 is removably secured to the end surfaces 12 by bolts 15 which are threadedly engaged with openlugs 16 formed in the end surface 12. By this construe-f tion the wheel assembly can be readily removed from frame 1 so that the roller can be employed in rolling operations adjacent vertical objects. The plate 11 of the wheel assembly is readily removed by disengaging bolts The support plate17 which is described is disposed gen erally parallel tothe respective'plate 11 and isprovided with an arcuate edge portion 19.

A wheel is rotatably supuported in a bearing 21 formed in support plate 17. Each wheel is adapted to rid? on the surface 3 when it is desired to transport the ro er.

The plate 17 is guided in pivotal movement by arcuate guide 22 which is secured by bolts to the outer surface of plate 11 and is provided with a groove 23 to receive the arcuate edge portion 19 of plate 17. This is shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

Plate 17 is pivoted about pin 18 to lower and raise the wheel with respect to the frame 1 by a hydraulic drive unit. The hydraulic drive unit consists ofa double acting cylinder 24 pivotally attached to lug 25 on platen 11. The lower end of ram 26 of cylinder 24 is pivotally attached at 27 to the wheel support plate 17. Movement of the ram 26 pivots plate 17 about the pin 18 and lowers or' raises the wheel as desired. The opposite wheel 20 is operated in the same manner.

Fluid pressure is supplied to cylinder 24 through conduits 28 and 29 from a pump 30 which is actuated through lever 31 by the operator. Conduits 28 and 29 are provided with fittings 32 which are disposed centrally of the length of the conduits and which are readily disengageable to permit the wheel assemblies to be removed from the frame 1.

To lock wheel 20 in the lowered position, an arm 33 is pivotally attached to plate 11 at the upper end of guide 22 and is adapted to engage the edge 19 of plate 17 in its raised position. Arm 33 is weighted, as indicated at 34, so that the arm will follow plate 17 as the same is pivoted downwardly through the action 'of ram 26. Arm 33 is adapted to engage the groove 23 of guide 22 as it follows the movement of plate 17.

The wheel support plate 17 is locked in groove 23 against upward motion when the blunt end 35 of arm 33 engages the upper edge 36 of the plate 17. With this engagement the plate 17 cannot be moved upwardly. To release arm 33 from its unlocked position in preparation for lifting the wheel, the arm 33 is manually pivoted clockwise out of engagement with the plate 17. The plate 17 can then be moved upwardly by ram 26 to raise the wheels.

In operation of the roller the wheels 20 are in the downward position during transporting or hauling of the roller and the roll 2 is in the upward position out of contact with the surface 3. Arms 33 are in the locked position to prevent upward movement of wheel support plates 17 and thereby prevent the wheels from being elevated.

At the rolling site, the roller is unhitched from the transporting vehicle and the arms 33 are pivoted clockwise to unlock the wheels. The operator then actuates pump 30 by means of lever 31 to introduce hydraulic fluid through conduit 29 into each cylinder 24 to actuate rams 26. Actuation of rams 26 results in the wheels being elevated and the roller is then supported by the roll 2.

During rolling, if it is desired to roll adjacent to vertical objects, one of the wheel assemblies can be removed by initially disconnecting the fittings 32. The bolts 13 and 15 are disengaged and the wheel assembly can then be removed from the frame 1. With the wheel assembly removed from the frame, rolling can be done to within 1% inches of a given object.

After completion of rolling close to the obstruction the wheel assembly is replaced by engaging bolts 13 and 15 and connecting the fittings 32. Hydraulic fluid is then introduced into each cylinder 24 through conduit 28 to move the rams upwardly and thereby pivot the wheels downwardly into engagement with the surface '3. Continued outward movement of the rams 26'causes the roll 2 and frame 1 to be moved upwardly out of contact withsurface 3 asshownin'Figures '6 and 7. With the 4 roll 2 elevated the compaction roller can then be readily transported.

The present invention provides an improved mechanism for raising and lowering the wheels of a mobile compaction roller. The wheels are raised or lowered with respect to the compaction roll by a hydraulic system actuated by the operator of the roller and are automati cally locked in the downward position by the weighted locking arm. In addition, one of the wheels can be readily removed from the roller in a simple one-man operation to permit the roller to be employed in rolling close to vertical objects. Furthermore the engine, the transmission and the water tank are located directly above the roll to place the greatest possible weight over the roll for compaction service.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which'is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. In a compaction rolling vehicle having wheels'tofacilitate transportation and a roll supported from the vehicle frame and adapted to compact a surface, an apparatus for lowering and raising the wheels with respect to the roll which comprises a plate secured generally flatwise to the frame, a wheel support member pivotally attached at one end to the outer face of said plate, guide means secured to the outer face of the plate and receiving the opposite end of said support member to guide the member in pivotal movement, a wheel rotata' bly secured to the support member and having the lowermost portion of the periphery of the wheel during the rolling of the surface normally disposed above the portion of the periphery of the roll contacting said surface, means connected to the support member and adapted to act against said member to pivot said member downwardly and bring said wheel into engagement with said surface and subsequently lift said roll out of contact with said surface to permit the apparatus to be transported on said wheel, and locking means pivotally connected to the plate and weighted to ride on said support member as said support member is pivoted downwardly and to lock said supporting member against upward movement when said supporting member has pivoted downwardly to a predetermined position and thereby lock the wheel in a down position.

2. In a compaction rolling vehicle having wheels to facilitate transportation and a roll supported from the vehicle frame and adapted to compact a surface, an apparatus for lowering and raising the wheels with respect to the roll which comprises, a pair of plates secured to opposite ends of the frame and disposed generally normally to the axis of the roll, a wheel support member pivotally attached to each of said plates and adapted to be pivoted in a plane substantially parallel to the respective plates, a wheel rotatably mounted on each of the wheel support members, guide means attached to each plates to guide the respective support member in pivotal movement, hydraulic means interconnecting each plate and the respective support member for initially pivoting the support member downwardly with respect to the plate to lower each respective wheel into contact with the ground and thereafter raise the plate and the roll from the ground with the vehicle then being supported by the wheels, and a locking member pivotally connected to each guide means, said locking member being counterweighted to contact said support member and follow the downward pivotal movement thereof and positively engage said support member and lock the support member with respect to each respective plate when said support member has pivoted downwardly to a predetermined position and thereby lock the wheels in a lowered position.

3. In a compaction rolling vehicle, a frame, a roll supported from theframe for compacting a surface, a plate disposed flatwise adjacent an end surface of the frame, a plurality ofT-shaped members secured to the inner face of said plate adjacent thejframeandextending inwardly toward the frame and received "within corresponding keyhole-shaped openingsin the end surface of the frame to temporarily position the plate on said frame, means to removably secure said plate to the frame, a wheel support member pivotally attached at one end to the outer face of said plate, guide means secured to the outer face of the plate and receiving the opposite end of said support member to guide the member in pivotal movement, a wheel rotatably secured to the support member and having the lowermost portion of the periphery of the wheel during the rolling of thesurface'normally disposed above the portion of the periphery of the roll contacting said surface, means connected to the support member and adapted to act against said member to pivot said member downwardly and bring the wheel into engagement with said surface and subsequently lift said roll out of contact with said surface to permit the apparatus to be supported on said wheel, and locking means pivotally connected to the plate adapted to pivot and automatically lock the wheel in down position, the removability of the flatwise plate permitting readily removal of the wheel to enable the roll to be employed to compact surfaces close to obstructions.

4. An apparatus for elevating and lowering the wheel of a mobile compaction roller, said roller having a frame and having a roll mounted for rotation on said frame and adapted to compact a surface and said roller having a wheel to be lowered into contact with said surface to facilitate transportation of the roller, which comprises a support member pivotally connected at one end to the frame of the vehicle and adapted to pivot in a generally vertical plane, a wheel rotatably secured to the support member and spaced upwardly from the surface to be rolled during the rolling operation, means interconnecting the frame and said support member for pivoting said member downwardly and bringing said wheel into engagement with said surface and subsequently lifting the roll out of contact with said surface, guide means connected to the frame and receiving the free end of the support member to guide the same during the pivotal movement thereof, and a locking arm pivotally connected to the frame and adapted to ride on said member, said arm being disposed in vertical alignment with said guide means and being counterweighted to follow the pivotal movement of said member and to lock said member against upward pivotal movement when said member has been pivoted downwardly to a predetermined position and thereby lock the wheel in a down position.

5. In an apparatus for elevating and lowering the wheels of a mobile compaction roller, said roller having a roll adapted to compact a surface mounted on the vehicle frame and having a wheel to be lowered into contact with said surface to facilitate transportation of the roller, which comprises a plate secured generally fiatwise to the frame, a wheel support member pivotally attached at one end to the outer face of said plate and having a generally arcuate edge portion opposite the first-named end, a generally arcuate guide secured to the outer face of the plate and having a groove therein receiving the arcuate edge portion of said support member to guide said member in pivotal movement, a wheel rotatably secured to the support member and disposed generally parallel to said plate, means interconnecting said plate and said support member for pivoting said support mem ber downwardly to lower the wheels into contact with the surface in preparation for transporting spid vehicle and for pivoting said support member upwardly to raise the wheels out of contact with said surface in preparation for rolling said surface, and a locking member fulcrumed to the upper end portion of said guide and having a counterweighted end portion adapted to ride on an edge portion of said support member as the support member is pivoted vertically and to positively engage the upper edge 6 portion of the support member when the support member has been pivoted downwardly to a predetermined position and thereby lock the wheels in a down position.

6. An apparatus for elevating and lowering the wheels of a mobile compaction roller, said roller having a frame and having a roll rotatably mounted on the frame and adapted to compact a surface and said' roller having wheels to be lowered into contact with said surface to facilitate transportation of the roller, which comprises a pair of plates secured generally fiatwise to opposite ends of the frame, a wheel support member pivotally attached at one end to the outer face of each plate, a

guide secured to the outer face of each plate and re-.

ceiving an edge portion of the corresponding support member to guide said member in pivotal movement, a wheel rotatably secured to each support member and adapted to be disposed in contact with said surface during transporting of the roller and disposed upwardly out of contact with the surface during rolling of said surface, hydraulic means interconnecting each plate and the corresponding supporting member for pivoting the support member with respect to the plate to raise and lower the Wheels, and a locking lever pivotally connected to each plate and counterweighted to pivot and ride on an edge portion of said support member during pivotal movement of said support member, said locking lever being disposed so as to be pivoted to a substantially vertical position to engage the upper edge portion of the member when said member has been pivoted downwardly to a predetermined position to lock the wheels in a down position for transporting of the roller.

7. In a compaction rolling vehicle, a frame, a roll supported from the frame for compacting a surface, a plate disposed flatwise adjacent an end surface of the frame, means to removably secure said plate to the frame, a wheel support member pivotally attached to the outer face of said plate, a wheel rotatably secured to the support member at a location spaced from the pivotal connection between the support member and the plate, the lowermost portion of the periphery of the wheel during the rolling of the surface normally disposed above the portion of the periphery of the roll contacting said surface, means connected to the support member and adapted to act against said member to pivot said member downwardly and bring the wheel into engagement with said, surface and subsequently lift said roll out of contact with said surface to permit the apparatus to be supported on said wheel, guide means connected to the plate for guiding the support member in pivotal movement, and locking means connected to the plate for locking the wheel in the down position, the removability of the plate permitting convenient removal of the wheel to enable the roll to be employed to compact surfaces close to obstructions.

8. In a compaction rolling vehicle, a frame, a roll supported from the frame for compacting a surface, a plate member disposed fiatwise adjacent an end surface of the frame and extending generally normal to the axis of the roll, connecting means for removably securing said plate member to the frame, a wheel support member pivotally connected to said plate member, a Wheel rotatably secured to the wheel support member at a loca-' tion spaced from the pivotal connection between the support member and the plate, the lowermost portion of the periphery of the wheel during rolling of said surface normally disposed above the portion of the periphery of the roll contacting said surface, a cylinder, piston means slidably disposed within said cylinder, said cylind'er being pivotally connected to one of said members and said piston means being pivotally connected to the other of said members, means for introducing a fluid to the cylinder to extend the piston means from the cylinder and pivot said wheel support member downwardly to bring the Wheel into engagement withflsaid surface andsubsequently lift said rollout of contact with said surface to permit the apparatus to bersupported .bysaid wheel, said last named means including at least one conduit removably connected to an end of said cylinder, and :a guide member mounted on the plate member and disposed to engage the support member and guide said;support memher in pivotal movement, said plate member being readily removable from said frame by disengagement of ;said connecting means and disengagement of said conduit from .said cylinder .to enable the roll to .compact surfaces close to obstructions.

,8 sks ere mcited i th ifi of t is p t 2,011;ss4 5 2;044;ss4 2,055,914- 2,1643845 2,221764 2,348,445 10 2,671,386

STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 2,878,731 March 24, 1959 William E, Kressin It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

-- Column 3, line 3 for "supuported" read we supported line 15, for "platen" read plate line 40 for "unlocked" read locked COlUIIiJ 4, line 58, for "plates" read plate Signed and sealed this 7th day of July 1959,

SEAL) Attest:

KAR H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Ofl icer Commissioner of Patents 

